A Fremantle art studio is giving people a chance to slow down and escape perfectionism through the art of making paper flowers.
What started as a survival tool for artist Carrissa Wu is now Jotterbook Flowers, which aims to help people cope when mental health systems are stretched.
Wu and her team have run more than 700 workshops across WA and offer group workshops, bridal showers and private events in their Fremantle studio.
They have created large-scale installations, including 2m-tall flower sculptures that featured in the Empress Josephine’s Garden display at the WA Maritime Museum last year.
Wu said it was a chance for people to ditch perfectionism, slow down, and reconnect through mindful making.
She credited making paper flowers with saving her life.
“I grew up with anxiety you’d never notice from the outside: a ‘model migrant’ from Singapore who moved to Perth as a teenager and seemed to have it all together while silently battling panic most days,” Wu said.
“During COVID I was stood down from my corporate job and my anxiety hit record levels.
“I went to my GP for help but was told the wait list for mental health support would be months.
“In the meantime, I turned back to something I’d always loved but forgotten — art. Instead of endlessly scrolling job sites, I picked up crepe paper and began shaping petals.
“The slow, repetitive process became my way to cope when professional help wasn’t available, and it gave me a sense of calm I hadn’t felt in years.”
She said gentle, low-barrier community approaches such as this felt especially relevant now.
Camera IconFlower-making workshops are held at Jotterbook Flowers. Credit: Zia Barrido
Customers have said the hours “just melt away” when working at the studio.
“This workshop was exactly what I needed to connect to my creative-ish side; perfectionism is left at the door, giving way to laughter, relaxation and a method of meditation you won’t believe,” one said.
Another called it a “little bubble of soothing creativity”.
Mental Health Week is from October 4 to 11.
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